Zayani examines transformations in Morocco's 'land of kif'

Mouloud Zayani, a Moroccan author, has released a new book that delves into the intricate history and evolving landscape of cannabis cultivation in the nation's traditional "land of kif." Titled "Traditional Land of Kif: From the Panic of the Past to the Uncertainty of the Present Carrying Legalization," the work offers a multifaceted perspective, weaving together historical, geographical, social, and economic analyses.

The book approaches cannabis cultivation not merely as a legal or agricultural issue, but as a complex regional phenomenon. Zayani highlights how this cultivation has historically been intertwined with factors such as isolation, underdeveloped infrastructure, and a scarcity of viable economic alternatives for many families. Simultaneously, it has served as a crucial source of income, albeit one fraught with legal uncertainty and social tension.

Zayani traces the historical path of cannabis farming in northern Morocco, detailing its spread and the factors that solidified its presence in rural areas, particularly when economic alternatives faltered. He illustrates how kif cultivation became embedded in the social and economic fabric of these regions, influencing relationships, daily needs, and local solidarity, functioning as a primary productive activity.

A significant portion of the book is dedicated to the era of legalization, following the adoption of Law 13.21 concerning the legitimate uses of cannabis. Zayani examines this shift as a new chapter in the state's relationship with the crop, raising critical questions about whether the new legal and institutional framework can genuinely address farmers' aspirations and facilitate their integration into the legal economy. The author suggests that the success of legalization hinges on its capacity to rectify historical imbalances, rather than being a definitive solution to all challenges.